TRIAL TRIP OF THE S.S. TAKAPUNA.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2808, 22 September 1883, Page 2

TRIAL TRIP OF THE S.S. TAKAPUNA.

(O'reenock Telojraph, August Bth.) The now screw steamer Takaptma, built by the Barrow Shipbuilding Company for the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, which camo round to tho Clyde at the end of last week, wont down tho river on Saturday for a trial of speed. A large company of ladies and gontlemen joined tho steamer off Helensburgh, being convoyed to her by Mr Denny's (of Dnmbarton) fino little yacht Snark from Craigendorran Pier, amongst whom woro — Hon. George McLean, of Dunedin, Chairman m the colonies of tho Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, and Mia3 McLean ; Mr A. McAndrew, Chairman m this country of the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand ; Mrs James McLean , Edinburgh ; Mr William John, general manager of tho Barrow Shipbuilding Company ; Mr Peter Denny , jun., Dumbarton ; Mr Walter Brock, Dumbarton ; Mr George Roger, engineering manager to the Burrow Shipbuilding Company ; Mr John Thorn, head draughtsman to the Barrow Shipbuilding Company; Captain Jones, commander of the s.s. Takapuna ; Mr James Thomson, general manager to the Caledonian Railway Company; Mr D. Dunlop, of Dnnlop and Co., shipbuilders, Port Glasgow; Mrs Slade, Barrow-in-Fnrness; Mr McAlister, inspector to the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand ; Mr C. Galbraith, jun., Glasgow; Mr Koso, Edinburgh ; Dr Armstrong, Barrow-in-Fur-nosa; Misses Orr, Helonsburgh ; Mr A. 31. Sanderson, general manager to tho Paci6c Steam Navigation Company, Liverpool ; Dr and Mrs Best, &c, &o. Having embarked her passengers, the Takapuna proceeded to the measured milo and made a series of trials of her speed, the result of which went to show that her highest speed was 15.1 knots, and her mean speed 14.fi knots, which was considerably over tho guaranteed rato. The vessel is 220 ft long by 32ft broad, and 18ft 6in deep ; tonnage, 870 register. She has two engines (provided by the Company who built the vessel) of 09in and 08in diameter respectively, and 30in of piston stroke each, and indicated 2500 horse-power. Steam is generated m two double-ended Bteel boilers, with 12 furnaces. The vessel was constructed under tho direction (on behalf of the owning Company) of Mr Darling, assisted by Mr McAliater. She is fitted up m an exceedingly costly stylo, tho decorations being original and unique. The saloon, for instance, which is forward of the engines, has between panels splendid representations o£ groups of fowl, fishes, &c, painted m 'Japanese stylo. The woodwork i 3 beautifully finished, and capitals and mouldings are richly bronzed. The same style of decoration is adopted m the "social room," which is placed ovor the saloon. Tho "smoking room," reached from the same entrance, has a flooring of mosaic, while the walls aro m marble, with floral decoration, capitals and floral decoration here beiag also bronzed. Built for the New Zealand coasting trade, the vessel is provided with accommodation for 80 first-class and 80 second-clasa passengers. Each room is nicely finished, provided •with lavatories, and lighted by Edison's system of incandescent electric lighting, which is carried out by the Glasgow branch of tho Brnsh Company, and which ia m use throughout the ship, used also, of course, m tho ship's masthead and side lights. Tho passengers' rooms also contain b'fobelts and printed instructions m each room to show how they are to be put on m case of necessity. The dynamo for supplying tho electric light is driven by a Wostinghouso engine, furnished by Alley, McLellan and Co., Glasgow. This vessel is Bteered by Messrs Muir and Caldwoll'a patent steam steering gear. The Takapuna 13 tho 26th of the line and tho 107 th turned out by the builders, who have eight vessels at present m the yard, and several launched and at various stages m the progress towards completion. In the course of the day cold luncheon (pnrveyed nDder personal supervision by Mr Maaterman of Barrow) was served m the saloon. Mr John occupied tho chair, and when tho covers had been removed, ho proposed " Snccess to tho good ship Takapuna and her owners, the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand." In doing so, he might only Bay that they wore on board tho smallest elaborately fitted-up ocean passenger steamship m _ the world almost. What ho meant was this, that m tho steamer thoy had m miniature every comfort, every convenience, every luxury that they couM get m tho largest and best-appointed ships on the Atlantic — the City of Rome, or aHy of tho big steamers afloat. Tho Union Steam Ship Company knew their constituents, and knew that these constituents would havo everything of the very best, and consequently tho Union Steam Ship Company had insisted on haying the verybost fitted-up and the best appointed vessels that conld be built, regardless of expense ; and they had got it. In tho particular case under notice they had laid down conditions at starting with a degree of distinctness which certainly left no room for doubt on tho part of the builder as to what he had got to fulfil, and that smoothed matters very considerably. And he conld say that his firm ontered into the contract for this ship with the knowledge that thoy were entering into probably the .most strictly-worded conditions that had ever been ombodied. Ho could say, fnrthor, that m entering into it they felt that they could fulfil tho conditions, hard as they were. When thoy camo to consider a little vessel of thi3 kind, of 220 ft long, and carrying, upon lift draught of water, all tho top woight and all tho accommodation provided m her, and Steaming at 15 knots an hour, ho was sure thoy would all agreo with him that it was one of the things that had not often, if over, been done up to the pronent day ; because he had

;o tell them that they had been travelling at :ho rato of 15 knots per hour. (Applause.) Ho need not Bay more than this, that they were 3U board a ship that ho was very proud of iavingr bnilt ; ho nover felt prouder of a ves9ol n his life than ho felt at the present moment Df this vessel, not only on acconnt of what she bad accomplished, but on account of her general arrangements, which, ho should say, were dno, not to his Company, but to the Union Stoam Ship Company's officers, and especially to Mr Darling, who, ho was sorry to any, was not present. Mr Darling had m this vessel ntilised every inch of room m a way that was simply marvellous. It had been a. marvel to tho builders m constructing her to sco how every atom of space was utilised and tho vessel made perfect — upon a quartor scalo ho was going to say. Tlio Chairman added a word of explanation as to why tho vessel was here — because it was a condition that sho should run her trial on the Clydo, there being no measured milo at Barrow — and then referred to the presonco of some of the Clyde shipbuilders, saying that ho was glad of the cheoring look which they were always ready to give. He coupled with tha toast tho health of their distinguished friend, tho Hon. George McLean, Chairman of tho Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, and an influential citizen of New Zealand. (Applauso.) The Hon. Georgo McLean, replying, said regarding his humble position, that he did not think their worthy Chairman was right iv paying that he was an influential mau m New Zealand. Ho strived to do what he could to forward the interests of tho Union Company, of which ho believed the peoplo of Now Zealand and tho peoplo of Australia wore proud. It had been said very ofton that this Company erred m extravagance, but it was necessary to show a good ship and good epeed ; and he was snre the ships they had trading at Australia, and New Zealand were not beaten by any ho could sco sailing out of Now Zealand. The Company's vessels had, indeed, been the means of making many peoplo travel who nover travelled before. It was by providing peoplo with luxuries that they were induced to travel to sco the wonders of tho world. If they went to New Zealand, they would see sotno things that were not to ho seen m other parts of tho world. They had hot hikes which would yot bo far more famed than those of Germany. To enable people to travel round tho world was the bnsiness of the steamship companies — to make profit and to give them pleasnro at the samo time. With regard to the building of their ships, tho Union Company's lot had fallen m pleasant places. It was quito true, as Mr John had said, that they had imposed conditions ; it was qnito true that they wanted something very special, because thoy wished to bring the ono end of Now Zealand vory close to the other. Ho might say further, rogarding tho shipbuilders, that with those with whom thoy had como m contact — principally Messrs Denny and Co. and tho present bnildcrs — thoy had had no trouble whatever. Whenever a wish was expressed to have a thing dono iv a certain way, tho builders had given it without scrimp, and ho hoped tho Company would continue to employ such builders as they had bcon iutho habit of employing. Ho was glad to hear Mr John referring to tho Union Company's Superintendent, who, ho was sorry to say, was not able to bo hero on account of bad health. He had been connected with tho Company from the beginning, and no moro faithful servant could aoy Company have. (Applause.) jHo (Mr McLean) hoped to sco many of his [ friends at tho table travelling all ronud Now Zealand. Ho was sure they would not regret it. To those who were afraid to take a voyage to the antipodes he would say that ho knew of a lady who was over 70 years of nge travelling out thero and coming back again ; and now sho was beginning to feel restless, and was not suro but she might go back again. Ho could not sit down without proposing " Success to tho Barrow Shipbuilding Company," coupled with the health of their friend, Mr John. (Applause.) Mr John acknowledged tho compliment m a fow remarks, and this closed tho toastlist. Tho Takapuna made a run down tho firth and did not return to the Holonsburgh auchorago until a lato hour m tho afternoon. Tho guests were landed at Craigendorran, Gourock, and Hunter's Quay by tho Snark. The Takapuna is expected to bo m tho Albert Harbor, or othor Greenock harbor, soon for cool. (By Telegraph.)